The Children's Centres in Reading provide families with children under 5s with access to a range of services and support in their local area. This includes:

• Meeting other new parents
• Support for new parents
• Advice on your child’s health with services such as child health clinics and breastfeeding or healthy eating support.
• Family support like parenting classes, first aid courses
• Information and advice on benefits, work and training

Visit the BFfC - website to find out more - https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/under-5/childrens-centres/

Reading’s children’s centres are mostly located in single storey buildings. There are wide access points and ramps to facilitate wheelchair users. Disabled toilet and change facilities are available.

Reading’s children’s centres provides universal services for pregnant mothers and families where there are children under 1 year old.  For activities in the local area for toddlers and children 2-5 years please see (Parent & Toddler groups) Specific guidelines around age ranges and restrictions can be found on individual cluster programmes.  Targeted family support and parenting is available via referrals. To refer please (CSPoA)

Contact the Children's Centre for information on new parents groups and support for families with children under 5yrs.  For specific support around budgeting and parenting please refer via CSPoA

There are no charges for the under 1s groups although some have a suggested donation.

In the first instance we ask that you speak to staff present or the children’s centre manager if you have concerns or a complaint to make.

Should you feel that your complaint has not been adequately dealt with then there is a complaints procedure for Brighter Futures for Children. Please see link below.

https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/about/compliments-and-complaints/ 

Reading’s children’s centres are committed to safeguarding children.

We have robust and safeguarding policies and procedures which ensure that we safeguard and promote the welfare of children effectively. Staff and volunteers understand that it is every child’s basic right to feel safe, secure and protected from any situation or practice that may cause them harm.  We recognise our legal and ethical duty to promote the well-being of children at the centre and take appropriate action where we have concerns.

Copies of our policies are procedures are readily available to share. 

The East Cluster has 1 hub and 1 satellite in it's area; these include

• Sun Street Community Centre (hub)

• Caversham Children’s Centre (satellite)

Sun Street Children’s Centre is the Hub for the area and hosts the majority of the support for families, but activities take place at both sites.

Sun Street Children's Centre: Sun street, Reading, RG1 3JX; Tel: 0118 9372551; email: Reading.ChildrenCentres@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Visit https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/under-5/childrens-centres/ for up to date programme of activities.

Caversham Children's Centre: 114 Amersham Road, Caversham, Reading, Berks, RG4 5NA 

Reading Children's Centres are inclusive in all of our sessions running across the borough.

• East Reading cluster support SEN children and their families through a F.A.M.I.L.Y group with specialist support, advice and guidance for parents.
• Tiny Talkers sessions to support speech and language development (SLT) run from Sun Street CC each week for parents to attend if they have any SLT concerns for their child.
• Midwifery runs 7 days per week from Sun Street and Caversham CC.
• Health visiting teams are delivering child health reviews from Sun Street CC.
• Families and settings can refer into CSPoA for any early help support: Children's Single Point of Access (CSPoA) ~ Referral Form or contact Tel: 0118 9373641
• Reading Children’s Centres provide a universal service in partnership with health to support parents both antenatally and postnatally. New parents groups are delivered to support parents/carers with children under 1 year old.  Information is provided on sleep, weaning, behaviour, toilet training, routines and behaviour.
• Targeted services in Reading Children's Centres are offered on a 1-1 basis through parenting support and various groups.